Category: LGG Study

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Let’s Rebuild

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based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w1d4

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:9-20 / SOAP verse 18

Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.

Nehemiah 2:18

Remember in our last reading the King of Persia gave Nehemiah the go ahead on traveling to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.

So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”

Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

Nehemiah 2:2-6

In today’s passage (2:9-20) Nehemiah has arrived and inspected the walls, after which he made it known to the officials, the Jews, the priests, the nobles, and the workers what he had been doing. He urged them to join him in rebuilding the walls so that Jerusalem would no longer bear such disgrace and criticism. Nehemiah told them how God’s hand was on him and about the King’s approval for his mission. His encouragement to rebuild was meant with great and eager enthusiasm of the people. However, the enemies of the Jews were not quite as receptive. The beauty and example for us is that Nehemiah paid no attention to them but sought and followed God faithfully.

Nehemiah sought God and followed through with purpose and a plan to do it right – rather than bowing to the demands of man.

Consider This Application

We have all been given a calling. The work of the gospel is before us. As followers of Christ, we are to take the gospel to the world and make disciples of all nations. We are working with God to rebuild the brokenness that is in the world because of sin. When we bring the gospel into dark places, when we share the truth of who Jesus is with others, we are engaging in this good project. The planning and preparation have already been done, and, like Nehemiah rallied the people, Jesus calls us to join Him in this important work. may we be faithful to ready ourselves and engage in this good work!

Love God Greatly Devotion / From Broken to Restored / w1d4
Prayerful Response to God’s Word

Father, again I pray that You will help strengthen us to be fully engaged in mind, heart, and action. May we be dedicated to the calling to “take the gospel”, to be Your instruments of peace and light in the dark places of this world, to share the truth of who Jesus is with others, and work with You to “rebuild the brokenness that is in the world because of sin.” Jesus has called us to join Him, may we “faithfully prepare to engage in this good work!” – Amen and Amen!!

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

The Best You Can

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, From Broken to Restored / w1d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8; SOAP / Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, 24 because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

While our SOAP verse comes from Colossians I couldn’t help but get caught up with pieces of the passage from Nehemiah. Namely, that Nehemiah sought God before seeking the King’s favor toward him; and that Nehemiah had a plan and a purpose – and God was with him.

Do then the best you can, not for reward – not for the praise of man – but for the LORD.

The instructions we find in verses twenty-three and twenty-four of Colossians chapter three are very similar to the instructions we find in Nehemiah. Paul teaches the people that when we are truly serving the Lord Jesus we will work enthusiastically for the LORD and not for the glory or pleasure of the people. We will look forward to our ‘inheritance’ as a sure and certain reward. Surely no reward or praise that man may give can be better than the inheritance of eternal life with our God.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Going Further
Pause to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Wholehearted Engagement

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based on the LGG Study, From Broken to Restored, w1d1

Today’s Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11 / SOAP: Psalm 37:3-5

Trust in the Lord and do what is right.
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity.
4 Then you will take delight in the Lord,
and he will answer your prayers.
5 Commit your future to the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

Psalm 37:3-5

I love the profound yet simplistic passages like this. David, the Psalmist, uses the if this, then that process, which is very much how my brain works. He gives us four directives:

  1. Trust
  2.  Obey
  3.  Live, or as it means here – Abide ( which is defined by bibleref.com as – more than merely existing or surviving . It is wholehearted engagement! ) This wholehearted engagement most likely looks like what Moses taught in Deuteronomy 6:5 and what Jesus Himself said summed up all of the commandments in Luke 10:27, namely – “You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.”
  4.  The fourth and final directive is, “Commit your future to the LORD.”

These directives are summed-up in verse 5, repeating where he started in verse 3 – “Trust in the LORD.” It is worth noting that unless you trust the LORD, the second, third, and fourth directives are unlikely to be done. When we trust – all the rest will follow, and we will find ourselves delighting in the LORD and seeing Him working in our lives.

The Psalmist says when we choose to live like this, not only will we take delight in the LORD, but that the LORD will answer our prayers and act on our behalf. What great motivation to trust and obey, to wholeheartedly engage as a faithful follower of Christ, and to commit our future to the LORD.

Prayer / Response to God’s Word

Father, You are worthy of our trust and obedience . We want to more than merely exist or survive – we desire to be wholeheartedly engaged with You and in Your work. Help us to faithfully abide in Your Son and find our delight in You.

Going Further

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog Post

Let’s Worship
Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Jesus – The Anchor of Our Hope

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based on the LGG Study, Enduring Hope / w6d5
Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 6:10-20 / SOAP: verses 19-20

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20 NET

Last days of a study are always bittersweet for me. While I’m anxious to move on to the next adventure of our journey through God’s Word – I most often want to linger in the present adventure – soaking up more of the insight and wisdom in our current study. However, today’s final destination is such a perfect ending. We end on a grand note of encouragement that offers confidence in this and in everything we will study moving forward in the journeys still ahead of us.

I invite you to read the larger passage (Hebrews 6:10-20) and consider what a powerful message of enduring hope we have been given. –

Put together, these separate images create a powerful message of reassurance. Christ has “anchored” our hope of “refuge” in the very presence of God: the “inner place.” Prior verses pointed out the absolute and unchanging value of God’s promises.

Bibleref.com / Hebrews 6:19
Observations

This message is to believers / followers of Jesus Christ. The author says that we “have” this hope … indicating that it is a given rather than something we might have, can have, or will have someday.

When we choose to believe in Jesus Christ, we are anchored securely in the “very presence of God.”

The word hope has been mentioned over and over throughout our study and we have focused on many of its different aspects in Scripture. Today we end our study with the reminder and the truth of who “this hope” is.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. – Romans 6:9

And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. -1 John 2:25

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. –Colossians 2:15-16

God’s Word makes it clear that Jesus is our Anchor; and equally clear, that in the midst of life’s storms and trials our Anchor holds secure! Having cancelled our debt, through His death, Jesus is our trusted refuge and redeemer, our source of Truth and Righteousness – the HOPE of our faith – through whom we endure.

Jesus has anchored us – literally, placed us securely in God. We can have no greater hope than this. It is a hope that, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, will surely endure to the end.

To KNOW Jesus is to LOVE Him – to LOVE Him is to TRUST Him – and – to TRUST Him is to place our HOPE in Him.

Applications

I’ve read that sailors at sea intentionally fix their anchors out from the ship in a safe and secure location, and I believe that Scripture teaches that the same should be true of believers. We must intentionally fix our ‘anchor’, our hope, in Jesus who is seated in heaven at the right hand of God, the Father – rather than in this world or our circumstances. When our Hope is fixed in Jesus we will be more and more confident in the promises of our God.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Oh how I love Your Word God! How precious are its truths and the reminders of our sure and present Hope, namelyJesus. Thank You for all He did on our behalf – to secure us safely in You; and to give us confidence in Your promises – that are all yes and amen in Him, 2 Corinthians 1:20. There is truly no greater hope than this.

More for the Journey

Read more on today’s passage at the LGG Blog

What Does it Mean that We Have This Hope As An Anchor?

Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Focus of Our Hope

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based on the LGG Study, Enduring Hope / w6d4

Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7/ SOAP: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others. 19 In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NET (click on the link to find your preferred translation)
Observations

It should be noted that Paul is giving instructions to Timothy about teaching wealthy believers how to live. That being said, the truth behind the teaching is good for all believers, wealthy or not. For every believer should put their hope in God and not worldly riches or possessions. Likewise, every believer is to do good and to share/give as generously as the Lord allows. And, in doing so – every believer is storing up for themselves treasures that truly matter and lead to what is “truly life”.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

The focus of our hope is vital to our endurance. This is made clear by Paul’s words to Timothy. He doesn’t just give instructions about not setting their hope on riches (things, desires, treasures) of this world that are “uncertain” – but he immediately follows up with the good and profitable focus of their hope, which was “on God”. The contrast of the focus is – one is uncertain and the other is not only a sure and trustworthy ‘hope’ but also one who “richly provides”. Paul says that God provides those who hope in Him “with all things – not just for necessity but “for enjoyment”. In-turn, as recipients of His rich provisions we are to imitate Him by “doing good” and not just being good through obedience – but “to be rich in good deeds and generous in giving and sharing with others.” By doing this we are storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven where that which is “truly life” – Jesus, the hope of eternity – awaits us.

Application

I’m a list maker by nature and this is definitely one of those times where a list is beneficial –

  • Do not set your hope on riches that are uncertain.
  • Do not be haughty [arrogantly superior and disdainful].
  • Set your hope on God, who richly provides all things for our enjoyment.
    • Enjoy what He gives.
  • Do good.
  • Do an abundance of good deeds.
  • Give generously.
  • Share with others.
  • Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... as you endure with hope
Prayer, Response to God’s Word

Father, giver of life and light and all that is good I praise You. I hope in You and seek to please You and to what is good and pleasing in Your sight. Help me to not be haughty or to set my hope on riches, which are uncertain, but instead, let them be set on You – who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Help me to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be a generous giver who shares with others. For in this way I will save up a treasure that is a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life – that which is eternal life in Jesus Christ my Lord. – In His name I pray and trust – amen and amen!

More for the Journey

Today’s Scripture included a passage from Genesis chapter three. I have included the notes from my journal page on this passage. It always amazes me when such a familiar passage can seem so new and enlightening – but for me it was captivating. May we always be blessed by the Word of God – careful not to rush through it as though its a boring ‘rerun’. Rather, may we pray over it before reading, asking for fresh insight and understanding … and may we linger there so that we do not lose sight of it when we are finished.

Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters

Endure Suffering …

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based on the LGG Study, Enduring Hope / w6d3

Today’s Scripture: Romans 12 / SOAP: 12:2 and 12

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 12:2

Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. 12:12

Romans 12:2 and 12
Observations

In verses nine through twenty-one, Paul basically makes a list of things that Christians should do, or ways they should live, in order to please God. He starts with the importance of love without pretense (9), and ends the list with instructions to not be overcome with evil but rather to overcome evil with good(21).

Verse twelve, the second of our SOAP / focus verses, is so important to our study that I wanted to share this Scripture ‘nugget’ I found by Bibleref.com – I encourage you to really take the time to carefully read through this explanation of “rejoicing in hope and enduring suffering,”as well as the role prayer plays in it all.

The first command to Christians is to rejoice in hope. Often, we resist instruction about what we should feel: that we should change our attitudes to be joyful. The idea here, though, is more about declaring ourselves as having reason for joy. It’s not a command to be happy, but to have the right perspective on our situation. We should agree with God that our hope is worth rejoicing over. What hope? Paul is referring to the hope of the redemption of our bodies and being united with our Father forever once our adoption is complete (Romans 8:23–24).

The next command is to be patient [endure] in tribulation or affliction. This becomes much easier if we are keeping the other two commands. Those who see their future worth celebrating and who pray to the Father continually will have a much easier time being [enduring] during hardship. Paul is not downplaying the genuine pain of those experiences. Life can be unpleasant, and not all moments are happy moments. Yet Paul has pointed out that the struggles of life on earth are not worth comparing with the glory to come (Romans 8:18). So, we wait with patience (Romans 8:25).

The final command of the verse also connects with Paul’s thoughts in Romans chapter 8. We’re commanded to be constant in prayer, or to keep praying continually. During any time of suffering, while waiting for what we’re hoping in, we should pray. Prayer brings a connection with our Father through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26–27). He hears, understands, and helps in response to even our clumsiest attempts to communicate with Him.

Keep in mind that none of this is possible without the transformation of our minds, which is the focus of verse two, our other SOAP verse. In a recent message by one of our pastors, this verse was explained as such: “God wants a transformation, meaning a continual moving toward God, and allowing Him to change and renew the way we think. However, prior to this transformation we must be intentional to guard ourselves from being “conformed to(or to copy the behavior of…) this world.” Pastor Yates went on to clarify that being conformed to the world involves a continual renunciation of God for the ways of the world.”

Application

Consider these applications found at Bibleref.com and from Pastor Yates’ sermon …

Bibleref – 12:2 / “…God may continue to provide us with pleasure, possessions, and status in various forms, but he urges us to learn how to look at life with a new question: What does God want for me? What is truly a good, acceptable, and perfect use of my life for His purposes and not just for my own?”

Pastor Yates –

“God wants a presentation” –

We are to …

  • be a living sacrifice
    • “a vehicle through which we serve Christ”
  • be set apart for God
    • to be holy as He is holy=====
  • be pleasing to God (Malachi 1:6-8_
    • “second best is not pleasing to God”
  • be a true worshiper
Prayer, Response to God’s Word

Father, Your Word is living and active and life-changing when we yield to Your instructions. Help us to faithfully present ourselves to You as living sacrifices … to live set apart for You, pleasing You by really loving others. Help us to hate what is wrong and hold tightly to what is good, to work hard and serve You enthusiastically, being eager to show hospitality. Let us rejoice in the hope we have in You, patiently endure – even in our suffering, and to always keep praying. If we are persecuted may we bless our persecutor and not curse them – and may we even pray for them to know God’s blessing. Remind us to be happy with those who are happy, to weep with those who weep, and to live in peaceful harmony with all people – as much as is possible with You. Guard us from vengeance or paying back evil for evil, and in all of this may You be glorified – In Jesus’ Name – Amen!

 

Going Further

Enhance today’s reading with the LGG Blog Post

More on Romans 12

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:12

Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

True Hope

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based on the LGG Study, Enduring Hope / w6d2

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 62 / SOAP: 62:5-8

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge. 

Psalm 62:5-8 NLT [for your preferred translation click on the Scripture link above]
Observations

God is worth waiting on, for real hope comes only from Him. He alone is our protector, deliverer, and refuge. Because of Him – I am not “shaken” when troubles come.

God is the only one who gives me hope.

ak
Application

When I am in danger, whether from earthly forces or spiritual, He is my protector. I can trust in Him.

When I am threatened or afraid, I can hide myself in His refuge, I can rest secure in His shelter – knowing that I am safe and protected.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for being all that You are to us, Your Children. Thank You for being a safe refuge in times of trouble. Thank You for Your living and active Word and Presence that provide strength, protection, and refuge.

Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Even If

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based on the LGG Study, Enduring Hope / w6d1

Today’s Scripture: Job 3:25-26; 6:11-12;9:14-20;13:15; and 42:`1-15 / SOAP: 13:15

Even if he slays me, I will hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.

Job 13:15

Job, for no reason known to him, has lost basically everything he held dear for reasons beyond his understanding. Scripture says it was “the very thing he had dreaded and feared. It brought him unrest and heightened turmoil. His strength was weakened and he was filled with bitterness. In chapter six we are told that he saw no reason to go on living. Clearly he had lost hope – yet, Job did not curse God! instead Job announces that “Even if God should slay me, I will hope in Him.”

In his writing on Job’s losses, Evangelist, Scott Pauley, wrote:

You can lose things and get more. You can lose family but know that you will see them again. You can lose health and regain it. You can lose relationships and have them restored. The one thing that sustains a man through the hardships of life is hope. “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” (Proverbs 18:14). To lose hope is to lose heart. To lose hope means that you have lost sight of the goodness of God and of the future.

We are living in days of tremendous loss. Most of us have lost loved ones. Many have lost their health. Some have lost their business and financial security. All of us have suffered some sense of loss with the ever changing circumstances in our world. There is one thing that must not be lost – hope!

Scott Pauley

I believe our remedy to maintaining our hope is found in not only knowing who our God is but in remembering who He is. We must be careful to remember, whether on the mountain of blessings or in anguishing loss or real and present crisis – that God is good. We must continually, and often intentionally, recall that He is full of compassion, faithful in mercy, sufficient in grace, and abounding in love. To do anything less puts us in grave jeopardy of hopelessness.

Some Noteworthy Observations

“Job was a faithful servant of God.” These horrific events/losses did not just happen to anyone. They happened to Job for a reason, not because he was unfaithful but rather because he was faithful.

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. …

6 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 7 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

Job 1:1, and 6-12

Job spoke openly and honestly with God. There was no pretense about how the devastating losses had affected him. Even though Job knew he was innocent, he “could only plead with [his] judge for mercy.” Job also knew that he was weak and that God was strong.

Perhaps the best observation is the one we read at the end of our passages today – “So the LORD blessed the second part of Job’s life more than the first.” There is no question that the righteous suffer but Scripture also bears witness that the faithful of God are blessed.

A Notable Application
  • Remember Who God is and what He has done for us, how He loves His people,
  • When we are questioning our strength, or when fears, dread, sorrows (great and small) rise within and around us, or when we sense our weakness in any situation, not just loss – we would be wise to remember: our help comes from the LORD, maker of heaven and earth. When the “mountains” of this life loom ahead of us or when the losses of life weigh us down – we can endure with hope in our Creator.
  • Look to God

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Psalm 121:2

Prayerful Response to God’s Word

Father thank You for the example of Your faithful servant Job. When we think of him please guard us from thinking or dwelling on all of his losses but rather help us to faithfully recall Who You are and what You’ve been doing and will do on behalf of us, Your children. May we be faithful to say, on the mountains and in the valleys, Even if he slays me, I will hope in You, my God]

Worship through Music
Let’s Go Further:

Check out today’s LGG Blog post for today

Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Jars of Clay

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based on the LGG study, Enduring Hope / w4d5

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 / SOAP:7-10

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, 10 always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Observations:

The first question that begs to be asked when ‘soaping’ this passage is – what is the “treasure” mentioned in verse seven? According to 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, the treasure is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus. In other words, the Treasure is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

According to a commentary by Bibleref.com, “Paul has been defending himself from allegations of practicing falseness with the Corinthians. Some may have even accused him of being manipulative or a false apostle. To counter these arguments, Paul has emphasized his sole mission: to deliver the true gospel of Jesus and to proclaim that Christ is Lord. Paul insists that he and his friends see themselves as mere servants to the Corinthians for Christ’s sake. In his first letter to this church, Paul gave numerous indications that he was not interested in personal gain or fame” (1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 9:12–16).

BibleRef.com / 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

The next question then, is what, or who, are the clay jars? To Paul’s original audience, the clay jars would have represented something very fragile, and as Paul explained to the Corinthians – God used the fragile vessel “so that” everyone would understand, “the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” However, metaphorically speaking, Paul, in an effort to answer – or better yet – silence those accusing him and his team of “practicing falseness”, Paul was referencing himself and his team as the clay jars. Paul’s heart was the vessel that God had shown His light in. The same is true of everyone who names the name of Christ today, and according to Scripture, we too, have been given the mission to carry this Gospel message to the world.”

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

Mark 16:15

So often it seems we are bombarded with ‘trouble’. Even then – perhaps, especially then – we can, like Paul and his team,, be reflections of Jesus. We must remember though, it wasn’t because of their power or strength but because of God in them; and as we saw in our recent post, it was also the power of God through the prayers of others.

Paul’s illustration of suffering was meant to help the Corinthians see and understand that what others were seeing in and from him was all about God’s power and glory – as the “life of Jesus was made visible in them.” This should have been evident in the way they handled all of their ‘troubles’, for through it all, even in their weakness and struggle, they did not turn away from following Christ and making Him known to others. They knew He had not abandoned them and they endured with hope of the “eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (15-17) to what they were experiencing now.

Application

Do not let today’s trouble crush you or drive you to despair. If you are persecuted or suffering because of following Jesus, remember He has not abandoned you. If your troubles have knocked you down or simply knocked the wind out of your sail, don’t lose hope – for you belong to Jesus and to God the Father, and in them we cannot and will not be destroyed.

While it may not be easy to live for Jesus in this world – we must remember the goal set before us – and that is to make Him known. May all our troubles, and our responses to the troubles, make Him visible to the watching world.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, Paul’s words are challenging. I confess it is sometimes easy to lose hope or to despair. Yet they are equally encouraging to be reminded that You have not and will not abandon us. We belong to You and we will not be destroyed. These are the truths that help me to endure with hope. Guard us Father where we are vulnerable and strengthen us where we are weak – and in all these things grace us with Your protection. Through it all and above it all help us to make Jesus visible to the watching world. – In Jesus’ Name – Amen and amen –

Going Deeper

2 Corinthians 4:6

2 Corinthians 4:9

2 Corinthians 4:10

Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Privilege of Prayer

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based on the LGG Study / Enduring Hope w5d4

Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; SOAP / 9-11

Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again, 11 as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many.

2 Corinthians 1:9-11
Observations

So often in our suffering we are brought to the end of ourselves so that we remember to not trust in ourselves but rather in God – the One who is able to raise the dead.

Paul moves from talk of his suffering to a focus on God and how He delivered them from death and the confidence that God would continue to deliver them. –

Paul credits the Corinthians for their gift of prayer and the help it was to him and his team, urging them to give thanks to God on their behalf.

In reference to suffering – No one likes to suffer, but if Paul and his team had not suffered, people would not have prayed and seen or rejoiced in the answer. Sometimes our suffering is about more than us.

Application

Prayer is described in the Bible as seeking God’s favor (Exodus 32:11), pouring out one’s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15), crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20), drawing near to God (Psalm 73:28, KJV), and kneeling before the Father (Ephesians 3:14).

gotquestions.org / prayer

As noted by the underlined words in the above definition of prayer, by gotquestions.com, prayer should be an active part of every Christian’s life. It is thoughts and words, spoken or whispered, standing or sitting, or as Paul says – “kneeling”. It is born from a hope set in God and out of a desire to talk to Him, to seek His help or forgiveness in some matter – or to simply adore Him and praise Him for who He is and/or what He has done. It can be as simple as a sentence, a word, or a thought, or it can be detailed and involved and as long as it takes to pour your heart out to Him, as Hannah did (1 Samuel 1:8-15).

Prayer and the deliverance or answers it brings is a gift to both those who are praying and the ones they are praying for.

Praying offers us the opportunity to rejoice in what God does and allows us to be a part of His work. Let’s commit to being people who faithfully seek the Lord in prayer.

Another benefit of suffering is found here. When believers turn to God for help in suffering and see how He provides exactly what is needed, their faith is strengthened. They continue to rely on him and grow confident in God’s willingness and ability to save them.

Bibleref.com / 2 Corinthians 1:10
Prayer – Response to God’s Word

Father, this awesome privilege of prayer can so often be viewed and/or used selfishly to petition You only for our own needs, wants, fears, or complaints – but help us to remember that prayer is so much more than this. It is the privilege to fellowship with You or to give You praise or to pray for others in need, be it spiritual, physical, or material need. It is, above all, the privilege of drawing near to You and the window of opportunity to see You work, be it the sweetest, smallest answer, or the great and miraculous! There is great comfort in prayer, as well as peace, and joy, and rejoicing when we draw near to You and when we sense You drawing near to us, as is Your promise. And Father, as we are seeing in this study, it is through prayer that we find the strength and hope to endure. Help us, as Your children, to be faithful in drawing near to You in prayer – to embrace this opportunity and privilege to walk with You and talk with You through life. Let us live lives of prayer – keeping our eyes and our faith fixed on You – praying continually as Paul wrote – for in this alone will we have an enduring hope and a strengthened faith – Amen, in Jesus’ name!

Going Deeper

What is prayer?

What is the purpose of prayer?

Worship Through Song: The Prayer